System for maintaining the quality and level of lubricant in an engine

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a system that maintains the lubricant quality and level in an internal combustion engine including particularly a diesel engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Maintenance of engine lubricant quality and level is essential to the proper operation and long service life of an internal combustion engine. In general, lubricant level may vary during the operation of an engine due to lubricant leakage past various seals and some consumption of the lubricant which naturally occurs in the combustion cylinders. A responsibility of the engine operator is to periodically check the lubricant level and, if needed, add an appropriate amount of fresh lubricant to maintain the lubricant at a desired level. As used herein, the term "fresh lubricant" includes a base lubricant containing desired quantities and types of fresh lubricant additives.

[0003] In general, the quality of the lubricant in an engine degrades with engine use. Lubricant degradation occurs due to depletion of lubricant additives that perform specific functions such as control viscosity, reduce wear, increase lubricity, minimize deposits, prevent oxidation, and other desirable features. Lubricant degradation can also occur by the ingestion of foreign materials into the lubricant such as dirt from the surrounding environment, wear materials from the engines that occur as part of the natural operating process, and blow-by from the combustion process. Lubricant degradation can also occur due to a break-down of the base stock of the lubricant. In the extreme case fuel and/or water contamination of the lubricant can cause lubricant degradation.

[0004] Two ways of improving the quality of the engine lubricant is to periodically remove some or all of the engine lubricant and replace it with fresh lubricant. Also, in most cases filters are used to remove foreign materials above a certain size from the engine lubricant.

[0005] Various systems have been proposed for periodically removing a given quantity of lubricant from the engine and either storing the lubricant until it can properly be disposed of, or in the case of a diesel engine, optionally periodically injecting the lubricant into the fuel tank where the lubricant is mixed with the fuel and then burned in the engine along with the fuel. Also, it is generally known to provide such systems with automatic lubricant level sensing devices which maintain the proper level of lubricant in the engine.

[0006] In some systems, a given quantity of the engine lubricant is removed at preset time intervals based on engine usage factors. In others, small increments of engine lubricant are periodically removed and substantially simultaneously replaced with correspondingly small increments of fresh lubricant. In still others, a given amount of engine lubricant is periodically removed based on sensors that measure different operating variables of the engine such as the level, temperature and/or pressure of the lubricant within the engine, the number of engine starts or crank shaft revolutions, the length of time the engine has been in motion and at rest, engine temperature, fuel consumption, etc.

[0007] EP-A-0 146 532 describes a process for the control of a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine in which the lubricant is circulated from an oil sump by means of a pump and via a filter to the lubrication points of the engine and then returned to the sump, the amount of lubricant being determined in at least one location of the lubricant cycle and the value determined is input to control means which controls the supply of fresh lubricant, spent lubricant being withdrawn from the lubricant cycle, collected and then added to the fuel for the engine, the spent lubricant being added to the engine fuel when the fuel pedal is actuated and/or a certain engine speed reached.

[0008] However, there is still a need for a system that more effectively determines the condition and thus the quality of the engine lubricant, and when the quality of the engine lubricant degrades a predetermined amount, periodically removes a portion of the engine lubricant and replaces it with fresh lubricant to maintain the quality of the engine lubricant above a predetermined minimum high level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to certain improvements in systems for maintaining the quality and level of lubricant in an engine including particularly how the system determines and maintains the quality and level of the lubricant in an engine.

[0010] In one aspect, the invention provides a system for maintaining the quality and level of lubricant in an engine having a lubrication system including an engine lubricant reservoir, comprising valve means for selectively diverting a portion of lubricant from the engine lubrication system either through a first flow path that returns the lubricant to the engine lubrication system or through a second flow path that removes a portion of the lubricant from the engine lubrication system, sensor means in said first flow path downstream of said valve means for diagnosing the lubricant passing through said first flow path, a controller operative in response to predetermined lubricant measurements by said sensor means to cause said valve means intermittently to divert the flow of a portion of the lubricant through said second flow path, and means for periodically adding fresh lubricant to said engine.

[0011] In one embodiment, the invention provides a system as described above having second valve means for directing a supply of fresh lubricant to said engine, and wherein the controller is operative selectively to cause said valve means to block the flow of lubricant through said first flow path and direct a portion of the lubricant to said second flow path based on the monitored condition of the lubricant, and to cause said second valve means to direct the supply of fresh lubricant to said engine in response to the lubricant in said engine lubricant reservoir dropping below a predetermined level.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, the system includes a flow path through which a portion of the lubricant that is being circulated through the engine is diverted for diagnosis by. sensors in the flow path and then returned to the engine for recirculation.

[0013] When the engine lubricant has degraded a predetermined amount as determined by the sensors in the flow path, the system can divert a predetermined amount of the engine lubricant to a lubricant reservoir or to the engine fuel tank.

[0014] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a controller that is operative in response to predetermined engine lubricant quality measurements by the sensors in the flow path to cause a predetermined amount of the engine lubricant to be diverted to the lubricant reservoir or to the engine fuel tank.

[0015] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the engine lubricant that is diverted to the lubricant reservoir remains stored in the lubricant reservoir until the system controller commands pumping a predetermined amount of the stored engine lubricant to the engine fuel tank.

[0016] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system controller commands that engine lubricant be added to the fuel tank either during fueling or shortly thereafter and preferably while the engine is operating in order to mix the engine lubricant with relatively warm, rapidly flowing fuel in a common line that returns excess fuel from the engine injectors to the fuel tank.

[0017] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system controller determines the amount of engine lubricant to be added to the fuel tank based on the amount of fuel added to the fuel tank and the measurements of the sensors to insure that the lubricant-fuel mixture within the fuel tank does not exceed a predetermined lubricant/fuel ratio.

[0018] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system controller monitors sensors in the flow path through which a portion of the engine lubricant is diverted which measure such lubricant conditions as temperature, pressure, dielectric and/or viscosity to diagnose the engine lubricant quality.

[0019] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system controller may on command optionally divert a portion of the engine lubricant directly to the fuel tank or to a lubricant reservoir for storage prior to being delivered to the fuel tank.

[0020] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system controller on command periodically adds fresh lubricant to the engine to maintain the quality and level of the engine lubricant.

[0021] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, when the engine lubricant drops below a predetermined level within the engine, the system controller interrupts the flow of engine lubricant through the flow path containing the sensors, and causes fresh lubricant to be added to the engine through the flow path downstream of the sensors until the engine lubricant is brought back up to such predetermined level.

[0022] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system controller may be used to communicate the monitored data from the sensors to a remote site through a data link.

[0023] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system controller may be used to keep track of the location of the engine via a Global Position Satellite (GSP) unit.

[0024] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of one form of system in accordance with the present invention in which a portion of the pressurized engine lubricant is shown being diverted through a flow path containing a diagnostic cell for determining lubricant quality and then returned to the engine lubricant sump;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of the system of Fig. 1 but showing pressurized engine lubricant being diverted into a lubricant reservoir and then into the engine fuel tank, and fresh lubricant being added to the engine lubricant sump through the flow path downstream of the diagnostic cell; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a modified system in accordance with this invention in which pressurized engine lubricant is diverted directly to the engine fuel tank on command of a system controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, there is schematically shown one form of a system 1 in accordance with the present invention for maintaining the quality and level of lubricant EL in an internal combustion engine 2, which may for example be a diesel engine used to power a locomotive. The engine 2 is schematically shown in section in Fig. 1 with the usual pistons 3, fuel injectors 4, and engine lubricant sump 5 containing the engine lubricant EL. Also, an engine driven lubricant pump 7 is shown which, when driven by the engine 2, causes the engine lubricant EL to flow from the sump 5 through an external lubricant line 8 containing a filter 9 and onto the moving parts of the engine to minimize friction and wear. The engine lubricant then returns to the sump 5 for recirculation through the fluid line 8 and onto the engine parts as before.

[0027] The lubricant EL within the engine sump 5 is typically near atmospheric pressure, whereas the lubricant in the fluid line 8 external to the engine 2 is at a significantly higher pressure, for example on the order of 207 kPa (30 psi) or greater.

[0028] Also shown in Fig. 1 is the fuel line 10 through which fuel F is pumped from a fuel tank 11 by a fuel pump 12 through a fuel filter 13 and meter 14 to the fuel injectors 4 of the engine during engine operation. Depending on the throttle position of the engine, each injector 4 injects metered amounts of fuel into the combustion chambers 16 at very high pressures. The excess fuel serves to cool the injectors 4 and is returned to the fuel tank 11 through a common line 17 containing a fuel meter 18. Level sensors 19, 20 in both the fuel tank 11 and engine sump 5 roughly determine the liquid volume in each of these reservoirs.

[0029] For determining the quality of the engine lubricant EL, the system 1 includes a fluid conduit 25 connected to the high pressure engine lubricant line 8 upstream of the engine lubricant filter 9. Conduit 25 contains a three-way valve 26 which, in the normal "off" state shown in Fig. 1, directs a portion of the pressurized engine lubricant EL through a diagnostic cell 27 containing a plurality of sensors 28 for diagnosing certain qualities or characteristics of the engine lubricant, for example, the temperature, pressure, dielectric and/or viscosity of the engine lubricant. Downstream of the diagnostic cell 27 is another three-way valve 29 which, in the normal "off" state, returns the portion of the engine lubricant passing through the diagnostic cell 27 to the engine lubricant sump 5 through the conduit 25.

[0030] The fluid conduit 25 is sized to restrict the rate of engine lubricant flow through the diagnostic cell 27 to a relatively small amount, for example approximately three percent of the total flow output of the engine lubricant pump 7, which is considered insignificant to the proper lubrication of the engine.

[0031] A system controller 30 monitors the outputs from the sensors 28 in the diagnostic cell 27 (and possibly others as described hereafter) to determine engine lubricant quality based on a control algorithm. When the quality of the engine lubricant drops below a predetermined level as ascertained by the controller 30, the controller periodically commands the valve 26 to redirect the diverted engine lubricant through another conduit 31 to a lubricant reservoir 32 as schematically shown in Fig. 2 where the engine lubricant may be stored until otherwise disposed of. A meter 33 and filter 34 are provided in the conduit 31 upstream of the lubricant reservoir 32 for metering and filtering the lubricant before entering the reservoir. Also, a level sensor 35 is provided in the reservoir 32 for roughly determining the liquid volume in the reservoir 32.

[0032] If the engine 2 is of a type such as a diesel engine that can burn a lubricant-fuel mixture, a fluid pump 36 may be provided within the engine lubricant reservoir 32 for pumping a predetermined amount of the engine lubricant within the reservoir through a conduit 37 containing a flow meter 38 and into the common line 17 leading to the fuel tank 11 upon command by the system controller 30 as further schematically shown in Fig. 2.

[0033] Alternatively, the conduit 31 that receives the redirected engine lubricant from the engine upon command of the system controller 30 may be connected directly to the common line 17 leading to the fuel tank 11 as schematically shown in Fig. 3, thus eliminating the need for the engine lubricant reservoir 32 and associated pump 36, conduit 37 and flow meter 38 In that event, a further valve 39 is desirably provided in the conduit 31 which, when activated by the system controller 30, prevents the flow of engine lubricant through the conduit 31 to the fuel tank 11 as a safety in the event the valve 26 should fail and the fresh lubricant pump 43 (described hereafter) is not operating.

[0034] However, storing the engine lubricant in a reservoir 32 prior to adding the engine lubricant to the fuel tank 11 has the advantage that periodic activation of the valve 26 to remove some of the engine lubricant from the engine does not have to coincide with fueling of the fuel tank. Also, the amount of engine lubricant that is removed from the engine at any given time can be greater than the maximum amount that could be added to the fuel tank at that time without exceeding a predetermined lubricant/fuel ratio for the particular engine.

[0035] In either case, the engine lubricant is preferably added to the fuel tank 11 either in conjunction with the fueling of the fuel tank or as soon after fueling as possible to maximize the amount of engine lubricant that can be added to the fuel without exceeding a predetermined lubricant/fuel ratio for the engine. Also, the engine lubricant is desirably added to the fuel tank 11 through the common line 17 only while the engine is operating so that the engine lubricant will be mixed with the warm, relatively rapidly flowing fuel returning from the injectors 4 to the fuel tank.

[0036] The system 1 also includes a reservoir 40 containing fresh lubricant FL for use in maintaining the desired quality and level of engine lubricant EL within the engine lubricant sump 5. A sensor 41 is provided in the reservoir 40 for roughly determining the volume of fresh lubricant within the reservoir. The fresh lubricant reservoir 40 is desirably selectively connected to the same conduit 25 through which the diverted engine lubricant EL is normally recirculated back to the engine 2 by the three-way valve 29 in the conduit 25 downstream of the diagnostic cell 27. When commanded by the system controller 30, the valve 29 moves to a position blocking flow of engine lubricant from the diagnostic cell 27 and allowing fresh lubricant to be pumped from the fresh lubricant reservoir 40 by a pump 43 within the reservoir through a meter 44 into the conduit 25 downstream of the diagnostic cell 27 and into the engine 2 as schematically shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0037] In operation, the system controller 30 monitors the sensors 28 in the diagnostic cell 27, the level sensors 35 and 41 in the lubricant reservoirs 32 and 40, the flow meter 33 for measuring the rediverted flow of engine lubricant to the lubricant reservoir 32 or to the fuel tank 11, and the flow meters 38 and 44 for measuring the outflows from the lubricant reservoirs 32 and 40. Also, the system controller 30 may be used to monitor other components which include the lubricant level sensor 20 in the engine lubricant sump 5, the fuel level sensor 19, and possibly the fuel meters 14 and 18 as well as other sensors 50 mounted in conjunction with or on the engine, schematically shown in the drawings, for measuring such engine parameters such as engine usage based on one or more operating variables of the engine or of the equipment powered by the engine including the number of engine starts, engine running time, number of miles driven, amount of fuel used since the last fresh lubricant addition, etc.

[0038] Based on the monitored sensors and/or components, the system controller 30 determines when to activate the valve 26 to redirect a portion of the lubricant EL from the engine 1 to the lubricant reservoir 32 (or directly to the engine fuel tank 11 if no lubricant reservoir is provided), and when to activate the valve 29 and pump 43 in the fresh lubricant reservoir 40 to transfer fresh lubricant to the engine sump 5 to maintain the quality and level of the lubricant in the engine. Also based on monitored sensors and/or components, the system controller 30 determines when and the amount of fuel added to the engine fuel tank 11 through a nozzle 51, schematically shown in Fig. 1, and activates the pump 36 (if the engine lubricant reservoir 32 is included in the system) to add filtered engine lubricant EL from the reservoir 32 to the fuel tank 11 in an amount not to exceed a predetermined lubricant/fuel ratio, or until the engine lubricant reservoir 32 is empty. As previously indicated, the engine lubricant is preferably added to the fuel tank 11 either in conjunction with the fueling or as soon thereafter as possible, but preferably only while the engine 2 is operating so that the engine lubricant is mixed with the warm, rapidly flowing fuel returning from the injectors 4 to the fuel tank 11 through the common line 17.

[0039] Of course, if the system 1 does not include a engine lubricant reservoir 32, and the redirected engine lubricant is added directly to the fuel tank 11 as schematically shown in Fig. 3, the system controller 30 would preferably not activate the valve 26 to redirect the engine lubricant to the engine fuel tank 11 except in conjunction with the fueling or as soon after fueling as possible, and preferably only while the engine is operating for the reasons previously described.

[0040] Also based on monitored sensors and/or components, the system controller 30 determines when to activate the valve 29 for blocking the flow of diverted engine lubricant through the diagnostic cell 27 and the pump 43 in the fresh lubricant reservoir 40 to transfer fresh lubricant into the engine.

[0041] The system controller 30 includes a display 52 that allows visual output of the monitored sensors and/or components. Also, the system controller 30 may be used to keep track of the engine location via a Global Position Satellite (GPS) unit 55. In addition, the system controller 30 may be used to communicate the data that it receives from the sensors and/or components to a remote site through a data link 56 such as a satellite communications modem.

[0042] The various lubricant flow meters 33, 38 and 44 and fuel flow meters 14 and 18 would be redundant if the lubricant and fuel level sensors 20, 35, 41 and 19 were highly accurate. However, in the usual case, such level sensors only provide relatively rough measurements of the liquid volume in the sump 5, reservoirs 32 and 40 and tank 11, which are sufficient to maintain proper lubricant level in the engine 2, to limit the lubricant to fuel ratio in the fuel tank 11, to prevent the removal of lubricant EL from the engine 2 if there is not sufficient fresh lubricant in the fresh lubricant reservoir 40 to replace the removed amount, and to prevent the removal of lubricant from the engine 2 if there is not sufficient volume to receive the lubricant in the lubricant reservoir 32.

[0043] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification.

Claims

1. . A system for maintaining the quality and level of lubricant in an engine (2) having a lubrication system including an engine lubricant reservoir (5), comprising valve means (26) for selectively diverting a portion of lubricant from the engine lubrication system either through a first flow path (25) that returns the lubricant to the engine lubrication system or through a second flow path (31) that removes a portion of the lubricant from the engine lubrication system, sensor means (28) in said first flow path downstream of said valve means (26) for diagnosing the lubricant passing through said first flow path, a controller (30) operative in response to predetermined lubricant measurements by said sensor means (28) to cause said valve means (26) intermittently to divert the flow of a portion of the lubricant through said second flow path (31), and means for periodically adding fresh lubricant to said engine.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said controller (30) is also operative in response to one or more monitored conditions of the engine to cause said valve means (26) intermittently to divert the flow of a portion of the lubricant through said second flow path.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising second valve (29) means in said first flow path (25) downstream of said sensor means (28), said means for periodically adding fresh lubricant to said engine (2) comprising a fresh lubricant reservoir (40) in fluid communication with said second valve means (29), said second valve means being operable by said controller (30) to establish fluid communication between said engine and one or the other of said sensor means and said fresh lubricant reservoir.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising a level sensor (20) for sensing the level of lubricant in said engine lubricant reservoir (5), said controller (30) being responsive to said level sensor detecting a predetermined drop in the level of lubricant within said engine lubricant reservoir to cause said second valve means (29) to establish fluid communication between said fresh lubricant reservoir (40) and said engine (2) through said first flow path (25) downstream of said sensor means.

5. The system of claim 3 or claim 4 further comprising a pump (43) operable by said controller (30) when said second valve means (29) establishes fluid communication between said fresh lubricant reservoir (40) and said engine for supplying fresh lubricant to said engine (2) under pressure.

6. The system of any one of claims 3 to 5 further comprising a meter (44) monitored by said controller (30) for metering the flow of fresh lubricant from said fresh lubricant reservoir (40) to said engine (2).

7. The system of any preceding claim further comprising a meter (33) monitored by said controller (30) for metering the volume of lubricant flowing through said second flow path (31).

8. The system of any preceding claim further comprising an engine lubricant pump (7) for circulating the lubricant from said engine lubricant reservoir (5) through the engine, said first flow path (25) being in fluid communication with a high pressure side of said engine lubricant pump for receiving a pressurized portion of the lubricant from said engine lubricant reservoir.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a filter (9) between said engine lubricant pump (7) and said first flow path (25) for filtering the pressurized lubricant prior to entering said first flow path.

10. The system of any preceding claim further comprising a lubricant reservoir (32) for receiving lubricant flowing through said second flow path (31).

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a pump (36) for pumping lubricant from said lubricant reservoir (32) to a fuel tank (11) for the engine (2).

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said pump (36) is operable on command of said controller (30) only to pump lubricant to said fuel tank (11) during or shortly after fuelling of said fuel tank to maximize the amount of lubricant that can be pumped into said fuel tank at any given time without exceeding a predetermined lubricant/fuel ratio for the engine (2).

13. The system of any preceding claim wherein said engine (2) is a diesel engine including injectors (4) for injecting fuel received from a fuel tank (11) into said engine, and a common line (17) for returning excess fuel from said injectors to said fuel tank, said second flow path (31, 37) being in communication with said common line for directing the lubricant passing through said second flow path into said fuel tank through said common line upon command of said valve means by said controller. (30).

14. The system of any preceding claim wherein said sensor (28) means measures the dielectric and/or viscosity of said lubricant flowing through said first flow path (25).

15. The system according to claim 1 comprising second valve means (29) for directing a supply of fresh lubricant to said engine, and wherein the controller (30) is operative selectively to cause said valve means (26) to block the flow of lubricant through said first flow path (25) and direct a portion of the lubricant to said second flow path (31) based on the monitored condition of the lubricant, and to cause said second valve means (29) to direct the supply of fresh lubricant to said engine in response to the lubricant in said engine lubricant reservoir (5) dropping below a predetermined level.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said second flow path (31) is in fluid communication with a lubricant reservoir (32) for storage of the lubricant received from the engine (2).

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a pump (36) for pumping a portion of the lubricant stored in said lubricant reservoir (32) to a fuel tank (11) for the engine (2) on command by said controller (30).

18. The system of claim 15 wherein said second flow path (31) is in direct fluid communication with a fuel tank (11) for the engine (2), said valve means (26) being operative on command of said controller (30) to direct a portion of the lubricant through said second flow path (31) during the fuelling of said fuel tank or shortly thereafter in an amount not to exceed a predetermined lubricant/fuel ratio for the engine.

19. The system of any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein said first flow path (25) is in fluid communication with a diagnostic cell (27) downstream of said valve means (26) containing sensors (28) which are monitored by said controller (30) to determine the condition of the lubricant flowing through said first conduit.

Ansprüche

1. System zum Aufrechterhalten der Qualität und Menge eines Schmiermittels in einem Motor (2) mit einem Schmiersystem, das ein Motorschmiermittelreservoir (5) einschließt, umfassend Ventilmittel (26) zum selektiven Umleiten eines Teils des Schmiermittels von dem Motorschmiersystem entweder durch einen ersten Fließweg (25), der das Schmiermittel zu dem Motorschmiersystem zurückführt, oder durch einen zweiten Fließweg (31), der einen Teil des Schmiermittels von dem Motorschmiersystem entfernt, Sensormittel (28) in dem ersten Fließweg, die stromabwärts von den Ventilmitteln (26) liegen, zum Überprüfen des Schmiermittels, das den ersten Fließweg durchtritt, eine Steuereinheit (30), die in Reaktion auf vorbestimmte Schmiermittelmessungen durch die Sensormittel (28) funktionsfähig ist, um zu bewirken, dass die Ventilmittel (26) periodisch den Fluss eines Teils des Schmiermittels durch den zweiten Fließweg (31) umleiten, und Mittel zum periodischen Zusetzen von frischem Schmiermittel zu dem Motor.

2. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuereinheit (30) auch in Reaktion auf eine oder mehrere überwachte Bedingungen des Motors funktionsfähig ist, um zu bewirken, dass die Ventilmittel (26) periodisch den Fluss eines Teils des Schmiermittels durch den zweiten Fließweg umleiten.

3. System nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, ferner umfassend zweite Ventilmittel (29) in dem ersten Fließweg (25), die stromabwärts von den Sensormitteln (28) liegen, wobei die Mittel zum periodischen Zusetzen von frischem Schmiermittel zu dem Motor (2) ein Reservoir (40) für frisches Schmiermittel umfassen, das in Flüssigkeitskontakt mit den zweiten Ventilmitteln (29) steht, wobei die zweiten Ventilmittel durch die Steuereinheit (30) funktionsfähig sind, um einen Flüssigkeitskontakt zwischen dem Motor und dem einen oder dem anderen der Sensormittel und dem Reservoir für frisches Schmiermittel herzustellen.

4. System nach Anspruch 3, ferner umfassend einen Mengensensor (20) zum Messen der Menge an Schmiermittel in dem Motorschmiermittelreservoir (5), wobei die Steuereinheit (30) auf den Mengensensor reagiert, der einen vorbestimmten Abfall an der Menge des Schmiermittels in dem Motorschmiermittelreservoir detektiert, um zu bewirken, dass die zweiten Ventilmittel (29) einen Flüssigkeitskontakt zwischen dem Reservoir (40) für frisches Schmiermittel und dem Motor (2) durch den ersten Fließweg (25), der stromabwärts von den Sensormitteln liegt, herzustellen.

5. System nach Anspruch 3 oder Anspruch 4, ferner umfassend eine Pumpe (43), die durch die Steuereinheit (30) funktionsfähig ist, wenn die zweiten Ventilmittel (29) einen Flüssigkeitskontakt zwischen dem Reservoir (40) für frisches Schmiermittel und dem Motor herstellen, um frisches Schmiermittel dem Motor (2) unter Druck zuzuführen.

6. System nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, ferner umfassend ein Messgerät (44), das durch die Steuereinheit (30) überwacht wird, um den Fluss an frischem Schmiermittel von dem Reservoir (40) für frisches Schmiermittel zu dem Motor (2) zu messen.

7. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend ein Messgerät (33), das durch die Steuereinheit (30) überwacht wird, um das Volumen an Schmiermittel, das durch den zweiten Fließweg (31) fließt, zu messen.

8. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend eine Motorschmiermittelpumpe (7) zum Zirkulieren des Schmiermittels von dem Motorschmiermittelreservoir (5) durch den Motor, wobei sich der erste Fließweg (25) in Flüssigkeitskontakt mit einer Hochdruckseite der Motorschmiermittelpumpe befindet, um einen unter Druck stehenden Teil des Schmiermittels von dem Motorschmiermittelreservoir zu erhalten.

9. System nach Anspruch 8, ferner umfassend einen Filter (9) zwischen der Motorschmiermittelpumpe (7) und dem ersten Fließweg (25) zum Filtern des unter Druck stehenden Schmiermittels vor einem Eintritt in den ersten Fließweg.

10. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend ein Schmiermittelreservoir (32) zum Aufnehmen von Schmiermittel, das durch den zweiten Fließweg (31) fließt.

11. System nach Anspruch 10, ferner umfassend eine Pumpe (36) zum Pumpen von Schmiermittel von dem Schmiermittelreservoir (32) zu einem Brennstofftank (11) für den Motor (2).

12. System nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Pumpe (36) auf einen Steuerbefehl der Steuereinheit (30) funktionsfähig ist, nur Schmiermittel zu dem Brennstofftank (11) während oder kurz nach einer Befüllung des Brennstofftanks zu pumpen, um die Menge an Schmiermittel, die in den Brennstofftank zu einem jeglichen bestimmten Zeitpunkt gepumpt werden kann, zu maximieren, ohne dass ein vorbestimmtes Schmiermittel/Brennstoff-Verhältnis für den Motor (2) überschritten wird.

13. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Motor (2) ein Dieselmotor ist, der Injektoren (4) zum Einspritzen von Brennstoff, der von einem Brennstofftank (11) erhalten wird, in den Motor und eine gemeinsame Leitung (17) zum Zurückführen von überschüssigem Brennstoff von den Injektoren zu dem Brennstofftank einschließt, wobei der zweite Fließweg (31, 37) mit der gemeinsamen Leitung in Kontakt steht, um das Schmiermittel, das den zweiten Fließweg durchtritt, in den Brennstofftank durch die gemeinsame Leitung auf einen Steuerbefehl der Ventilmittel durch die Steuereinheit (30) zu lenken.

14. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Sensormittel (28) das Dielektrikum und/oder die Viskosität des Schmiermittels messen, das durch den ersten Fließweg (25) fließt.

15. System nach Anspruch 1, umfassend zweite Ventilmittel (29) zum Lenken eines Vorrats an frischem Schmiermittel zu dem Motor, und wobei die Steuereinheit (30) funktionsfähig ist, um selektiv zu bewirken, dass die Ventilmittel (26) den Fluss an Schmiermittel durch den ersten Fließweg (25) blockieren und einen Teil des Schmiermittels zu dem zweiten Fließweg (31) lenken, basierend auf dem überwachten Zustand des Schmiermittels, und um zu bewirken, dass die zweiten Ventilmittel (29) den Vorrat an frischem Schmiermittel zu dem Motor lenken, in Reaktion darauf, dass das Schmiermittel in dem Motorschmiermittelreservoir (5) unter eine vorbestimmte Menge fällt.

16. System nach Anspruch 15, wobei der zweite Fließweg (31) in Flüssigkeitskontakt mit einem Schmiermittelreservoir (32) zur Lagerung des Schmiermittels, das von dem Motor (2) erhalten wird, steht.

17. System nach Anspruch 16, ferner umfassend eine Pumpe (36) zum Pumpen eines Teils des Schmiermittels, das in dem Schmiermittelreservoir (32) gelagert wird, zu einem Brennstofftank (11) für den Motor (2) auf einen Steuerbefehl durch die Steuereinheit (30).

18. System nach Anspruch 15, wobei der zweite Fließweg (31) in direktem Flüssigkeitskontakt mit einem Brennstofftank (11) für den Motor (2) steht, wobei die Ventilmittel (26) auf einen Steuerbefehl der Steuereinheit (30) funktionsfähig sind, einen Teil des Schmiermittels durch den zweiten Fließweg (31) während des Befüllens des Brennstofftanks oder kurz danach in einer Menge zu lenken, um nicht ein vorbestimmtes Schmiermittel/Brennstoff-Verhältnis für den Motor zu überschreiten.

19. System nach einem der Ansprüche 15 bis 18, wobei der erste Fließweg (25) in Flüssigkeitskontakt mit einer Diagnosezelle (27) steht, die stromabwärts von den Ventilmitteln (26) liegt, enthaltend Sensoren (28), die durch die Steuereinheit (30) überwacht werden, um den Zustand des Schmiermittels, das durch den ersten Kreislauf fließt, zu bestimmen.

Revendications

1. Un dispositif pour maintenir la qualité et le niveau de lubrifiant dans un moteur à combustion (2) ayant un système de lubrification comportant un réservoir de lubrifiant pour moteur (5), comportant des moyens de soupape (26) pour dériver sélectivement une partie de lubrifiant à partir du dispositif de lubrification du moteur soit à travers un premier parcours d'écoulement (25) qui prélève une partie du lubrifiant à partir du dispositif de lubrification du moteur où à travers un second parcours d'écoulement (31) qui prélève une partie du lubrifiant à partir du dispositif de lubrification du moteur, des moyens détecteurs (28) dans le premier parcours d'écoulement en aval desdits moyens de soupape (26) pour faire le diagnostic du lubrifiant passant à travers ledit premier parcours d'écoulement, un contrôleur (30) apte à fonctionner en réponse aux mesures prédéterminées de lubrifiant par lesdits moyens détecteurs (28) pour amener lesdits moyens de soupape (26) de façon intermittente à dériver l'écoulement d'une partie du lubrifiant à travers ledit second parcours d'écoulement (31), et des moyens pour ajouter périodiquement du lubrifiant frais pour ledit moteur.

2. Le dispositif de la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit contrôleur (30) est également apte à fonctionner en réponse à une ou plusieurs conditions contrôlées du moteur pour amener lesdits moyens de soupape (26) de façon intermittente à faire diverger l'écoulement d'une partie du lubrifiant à travers ledit second parcours d'écoulement.

3. Le dispositif de la revendication 1 ou de la revendication 2, comportant en outre les seconds moyens de soupape (29) dans ledit premier parcours d'écoulement (25) en aval desdits moyens détecteurs (28), lesdits moyens pour ajouter périodiquement du lubrifiant frais audit moteur (2) comportant un réservoir de lubrifiant frais (40) en communication de fluide avec lesdits seconds moyens de soupape (29), lesdits seconds moyens de soupape étant aptes à fonctionner au moyen dudit contrôleur (30) afin d'établir une communication de fluide entre ledit moteur et l'un ou l'autre desdits moyens détecteurs et ledit réservoir de lubrifiant frais.

4. Le dispositif de la revendication 3, comportant en outre un détecteur de niveau (20) pour détecter le niveau de lubrifiant dans ledit réservoir de lubrifiant pour moteur (5), ledit contrôleur (30) étant sensible audit détecteur de niveau détectant une chute prédéterminée dans le niveau de lubrifiant à l'intérieur du réservoir de lubrifiant pour moteur pour amener lesdits seconds moyens de soupape (29) à établir une communication de fluide entre ledit réservoir de lubrifiant frais (40) et ledit moteur (2) à travers ledit premier parcours d'écoulement (25) en aval desdits moyens détecteurs.

5. Le dispositif de la revendication 3 ou de la revendication 4, comportant en outre une pompe (43) susceptible de fonctionner au moyen dudit contrôleur (30) lorsque ledit second moyen de soupape (29) établit une communication de fluide entre ledit réservoir de lubrifiant frais (40) et ledit moteur pour alimenter du lubrifiant frais audit moteur (2) sous pression.

6. Le dispositif de l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, comportant en outre un dispositif de mesure (44) contrôlé par ledit contrôleur (30) pour mesurer l'écoulement de lubrifiant frais provenant dudit réservoir de lubrifiant frais (40) vers ledit moteur (2).

7. Le dispositif de l'une des revendications précédentes, comportant en outre un dispositif de mesure (33) contrôlé par ledit contrôleur (30) pour mesurer le volume de lubrifiant s'écoulant à travers le second parcours d'écoulement (31).

8. Le dispositif de l'une des revendications précédentes, comportant en outre une pompe de lubrifiant pour moteur (7) pour faire circuler le lubrifiant provenant dudit réservoir de lubrifiant pour moteur (5) à travers le moteur, ledit premier parcours d'écoulement (25) étant en communication de fluide avec un côté haute pression de ladite pompe de lubrifiant pour moteur afin de recevoir une partie pressurisée de lubrifiant provenant dudit réservoir de lubrifiant pour moteur.

9. Le dispositif de la revendication 8, comportant en outre un filtre (9) entre ladite pompe de lubrifiant pour moteur (7) et ledit premier parcours d'écoulement (25) pour filtrer le lubrifiant pressurisé avant de pénétrer dans ledit premier parcours d'écoulement.

10. Le dispositif de l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes comportant en outre un réservoir pour lubrifiant (32) pour recevoir le lubrifiant s'écoulant à travers ledit second parcours d'écoulement (31).

11. Le dispositif de la revendication 10, comportant en outre une pompe (36) pour pomper le lubrifiant à partir dudit réservoir de lubrifiant (32) vers un réservoir de carburant (11) pour le moteur (2).

12. Le dispositif de la revendication 11, dans lequel ladite pompe (36) est apte à fonctionner sur commande dudit contrôleur (30) seulement vers le lubrifiant de pompe audit réservoir de carburant (11) pendant ou légèrement après le remplissage dudit réservoir de carburant pour porter au maximum la quantité de lubrifiant qui peut être pompée dans lesdits réservoirs de carburant en un temps quelconque donné sans dépasser un taux prédéterminé de lubrifiant/carburant pour le moteur (2).

13. Le dispositif de l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit moteur (2) est un moteur diesel comportant des injecteurs (4) pour injecter du carburant provenant d'un réservoir de carburant (11) dans ledit moteur, et une conduite commune (17) pour renvoyer le carburant en excès provenant desdits injecteurs au réservoir de carburant, ledit second parcours d'écoulement (31, 37) étant en communication avec ladite conduite commune pour diriger le lubrifiant passant à travers ledit second parcours d'écoulement dans le réservoir de carburant par l'intermédiaire de ladite conduite commune après commande desdits moyens de soupape par ledit contrôleur (30).

14. Le dispositif de l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits moyens détecteurs (28) mesurent la constante diélectrique et/ou la viscosité dudit lubrifiant s'écoulant à travers ledit premier parcours d'écoulement (25).

15. Le dispositif selon la revendication 1, comportant des seconds moyens de soupape (29) pour diriger une alimentation de lubrifiant frais vers ledit moteur, et dans lequel le contrôleur (30) est sélectivement apte à fonctionner pour amener lesdits moyens de soupape (26) à bloquer l'écoulement de lubrifiant à travers ledit premier parcours d'écoulement (25) et diriger une partie du lubrifiant vers ledit second parcours d'écoulement (31) en se basant sur la condition contrôlée du lubrifiant, et pour amener lesdits seconds moyens de soupape (29) à diriger l'alimentation de lubrifiant frais vers ledit moteur en réponse au lubrifiant dans ledit réservoir de lubrifiant pour moteur (5) lorsqu'il chute en dessous d'un niveau prédéterminé.

16. Le dispositif de la revendication 15, dans lequel ledit second parcours d'écoulement (31) est en communication de fluide avec un réservoir de lubrifiant (32) pour le stockage du lubrifiant provenant du moteur (2).

17. Le dispositif de la revendication 16, comportant en outre une pompe (36) pour pomper une partie du lubrifiant stocké dans ledit réservoir de lubrifiant (32) vers un réservoir de carburant (11) pour le moteur (2) sur commande par ledit contrôleur (30).

18. Le dispositif de la revendication 15, dans lequel ledit second parcours d'écoulement (31) est en communication de fluide directe avec un réservoir de carburant (11) pour le moteur (2), lesdits moyens de soupape (26) étant aptes à fonctionner sur commande dudit contrôleur (30) pour diriger une partie du lubrifiant à travers ledit second parcours d'écoulement (31) pendant le remplissage dudit réservoir de carburant ou légèrement après en une quantité ne dépassant pas un rapport prédéterminé de lubrifiant/carburant pour le moteur.

19. Le dispositif de l'une quelconque des revendications 15 à 18, dans lequel ledit premier parcours d'écoulement (25) est en communication de fluide avec une cellule de diagnostic (27) en aval desdits moyens de soupape (26) contenant les détecteurs (28) qui sont contrôlés par ledit contrôleur (30) pour déterminer la condition du lubrifiant s'écoulant à travers ledit premier conduit.

Drawing